Mrs. Betty Shannon Patterson

Betty Shannon Patterson, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, died peacefully at her home at the age of 102. Born on October 14, 1922, Betty lived a life full of grace, strength and joy. She was raised on her parents’ farm in Jefferson, South Carolina, during the Great Depression and witnessed hardship firsthand. She never forgot the hungry strangers who came to their door, and often helped her mother prepare food for them—an experience that instilled in her a lifelong spirit of compassion. Betty majored in voice and piano at Mitchell College. A gifted musician with a deep love of music, she carried her passion for singing and playing the piano throughout her life. Music was one of her greatest joys and a thread that connected many aspects of her life. During World War II, Betty met and married the love of her life, Captain William (Bill) Burrell Patterson, US Army. Their honeymoon was cut short when Bill received orders to report for duty in Europe. Betty soon moved to Columbia where she became an active member of the Gray Ladies, supporting the troops at Fort Jackson. She also worked at the State Highway Department and sang in the choir at Trinity Cathedral. Despite the challenges of wartime separation, their marriage endured with deep love and resilience, forming the foundation of the family they built together. After the war, Bill and Betty were confirmed at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia in 1947 and baptized their first child there the same day. Betty was a person of profound faith also serving Episcopal churches in Irvington, New York, Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina. She taught children’s Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and served on the Vestry and Altar Guilds. Betty attended her final Easter Service at Trinity Cathedral on April 20, 2025, staying for the entire service and kneeling at the altar for communion. Betty was the beloved daughter of Rosa Jane Miller and Randolph Withers Shannon. She was adored by her older brother and sister, Randolph Withers Shannon, Junior and Margaret Shannon Carter who predeceased her. She was the devoted mother of four children: the late William Burrell Patterson, Jr., and her surviving children: Jane Patterson Suggs (Tommy), Ann Patterson Rhyne (Steve), and John Kershaw Patterson (Melinda). She was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren: William Dandridge Blackmon (Courtney), Anna Willett Clifford (Patrick), Lauren Willett Carter (George), Mary Willett Nielsen (Thomas), William Gerald Patterson, Christopher Kershaw Patterson (Lauren), and Graham Kershaw Patterson. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Bill, and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Kershaw Blackmon. Betty had a lifelong love of dancing that became one of her greatest passions after Bill’s death. She trained for 20 years with her dear friend and instructor, John Glandon, and competed in ballroom dance competitions across the United States. With elegance, precision, and an undeniable spark, she captivated judges and audiences alike. Dancing was not just a pastime, but an expression of her joy, energy, and love of life. Betty was a member of Ann Pamela Cuningham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and attended the Spring Luncheon in March. She was proud of her family's history and embraced carrying on that legacy. People were naturally drawn to Betty’s charm, warmth, and surprising sense of humor. Always appropriately dressed, she enjoyed social gatherings with family and friends. She loved engaging conversations, was very inquisitive and never stopped learning. Betty was a true Southern lady with small-town grit and was a tremendous inspiration. Betty’s life was a testament to resilience, strength, faith and love. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in all who were privileged to know her. The family is grateful for the love and care given to Betty by her extraordinary aide Jackie Nelson in the last months of Betty’s life. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 22nd at 2:00pm, at The Quaker Cemetery, 713 Meeting Street, Camden, South Carolina. To celebrate her remarkable journey a reception will follow at the Kershaw-Cornwallis House at 222 Broad Street. Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to The Trinity Foundation at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, https://www.trinitysc.org/give/trinity-foundation, and to Betsy Blackmon Foundation for the Arts: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/5908d9b2/l6FcuZwDsUuWgWiPoNTBww?u=https://cccfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1688. For contributions by check, we ask that the check is either made out to Central Carolina Community Foundation with Betsy Blackmon Foundation for the Arts on the memo line or the check can be made out directly to Betsy Blackmon Foundation for the Arts. Checks can be mailed to Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2142 Boyce Street, Suite 402, Columbia, SC 29201.

Tributes

Mrs. Betty Shannon Patterson

October 14, 1922 - June 4, 2025